On 13 November 1995, a three-judge bench held that medical services rendered for consideration fall within 'service' under the Consumer Protection Act 1986, opening the consumer fora to patients alleging deficiency in treatment.
Decided on 5 November 1993, this judgment held statutory development authorities answerable as 'service' providers under the Consumer Protection Act, with no sovereign-function immunity, and authorised compensation for harassment recovered from the salaries of erring officers.
Decided on 25 March 1998, this judgment held that both the person who hires a medical service and the beneficiary of it are 'consumers', allowing distinct awards to an injured child and to its parents arising from a single act of negligence.